title: Focal neuropathies following percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL)--preliminary study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Postoperative neurological complications in pelvic and renal surgery are a well-known clinical problem and their morbidities are important. We designed this study to determine prevalence and risk factors of such complications after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was performed during February and July 2011 on 68 PCNL cases. Demographic data and surgery reports were gathered and comprehensive neurological physical examination carried out before and after surgery. Then, data was analyzed using software SPSS 18.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ultimate sample included 30 (46.2%) male and 35 (53.8%) female patients with a mean age of 47.9 ± 11.47 years. In intercostal and lumbosacral plexus area, sensory neurological complications occurred in 8 patients (12.31%), 4 men and 4 women. The most common involved dermatomes and nerves were T12 (8 cases). There was a significant correlation between prolonged duration of surgery and prevalence of sensory complications (p<0.010). The highest hemoglobin value drop after surgery occurred in patients with neurological complications (p<0.001). There were no correlations between age, tracts used, diabetes mellitus, BMI, hypertension, positioning of patients and side of surgery with incidence of sensory neurological complications. No motor neurological complications occurred.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prolonged duration of PCNL and increased value of hemoglobin drop may lead to increased risk of neuropathy. Larger prospective studies with retroperitoneal imagings and patients' follow up is suggested for better understanding of this complication.
authors.affiliation: Urology Research Center, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
authors.forename: Hamidreza
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nasseh
authors.forename: Farshid
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pourreza
authors.forename: Alia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saberi
authors.forename: Ehsan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kazemnejad
authors.forename: Behnam Behmardi
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Kalantari
authors.forename: Siavash
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Falahatkar
mesh_terms: D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009403:Nephrostomy, Percutaneous / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: complication; neuropathy; percutaneous nephrollithotomy